UTPB falcons soar to new enrollment heights

ODESSA – Spring 2014 enrollment at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin (UTPB) hit a record-high of 5,014 students, which represents a 22.8 percent increase in students and 14.8 percent increase in credit hours.

UTPB hit the 5,000-student mark for the first time during fall 2013 semester.

The highest number of students are enrolled in dual credit courses, though enrollment in pre-nursing shot up by 79 percent this semester, as did petroleum engineering students that increased by 63 percent. Graduate studies enrollment is up 11 percent.

The standout factors that contributed to enrollment growth is the expansion of online programs, a focus on quality teaching and the affordable cost of tuition, according to UTPB. Selected baccalaureate degrees at UTPB can be completed for $10,000 or less.

U.S. News and World Report ranked UTPB as the top Texas public university in online instruction in 2013. UTPB is also recognized as the second least expensive Texas public, four-year institution for all college expenses, including tuition and fees, according to a College for All Texans’ report.